Frequency of Offering: Once per academic year, ~12 students per section, one
section.

Course Title: Physical Chemistry Laboratory I

Catalog Description:

Experiments
accompanying CHEM 412 (Physical Chemistry I). Meets (one credit toward)
University Studies Writing Flag requirement. Laboratory work should be taken
concurrently with CHEM 412 but can be taken following successful completion of
the course. Computer applications. Prerequisites: ENG 111 and CHEM 412.
Offered yearly.

This is an existing course previously approved by A2C2: Yes

This is a new course proposal: No

Proposal Category: Writing Flag

Departmental Contact: Bill Ng, chairperson.

Email Address:

cbwng@winona.edu

cbwng@winona.edu

William.Ng@winona.edu

wng@winona.edu

Department Approval and Date:

Dean's Recommendation and Date:

USS Recommendation and Date:

A2C2 Recommendation and Date: __________________________

Faculty Senate Recommendation and Date: __________________________

VPAA Recommendation and Date: __________________________

Dean's Recommendation and Date: __________________________

President's Decision and Date: __________________________

WRITING FLAG COURSE PROPOSAL

Chemistry 413: Physical Chemistry Laboratory I (1 s.h.)

Physical Chemistry deals with the physical principles underlying the
properties of chemical substances. The purpose of this junior level chemistry
course is to provide students the knowledge and skills needed to understand
applications of chemistry concepts to experimental results and the tools needed
to apply methods of scientific inquiry (along with chemistry knowledge),
resulting in an enhanced understanding of the chemical universe. To that end,
students will perform experiments, analyze data, interpret results, and
transform these experimental activities into written reports. Upon completion of
this course, students will be familiar with the experimental foundations and
techniques on which theoretical principles are based. The evaluation of the
experimental work will be based primarily on the contents of the laboratory
reports written for each experiment. Guidance will be provided on how to prepare
laboratory reports in the format of a modern scientific journal. The ACS Style
Guide, published by the American Chemical Society, will be used for directions
on the organization of a scientific paper, including correct grammar and style,
and the accepted formats for citing chemical names, chemical symbols, units,
graphs, tables, and references. Each report will be critiqued with relevant
comments and discussed individually (between instructor and student) to provide
a feedback mechanism so students can improve upon their subsequent reports. Each
report will be graded according to specific criteria established in the
organizational format of the report. As such, this course will emphasize writing
as one of the essential components in academic learning and in the intellectual
development of students in Physical Chemistry.

Catalog Description:

Experiments accompanying CHEM 412 (Physical Chemistry I). Meets (one credit
toward) University Studies Writing Flag requirement. Laboratory work should be
taken concurrently with CHEM 412, but can be taken following successful
completion of the course. Computer applications. Prerequisites: ENG 111 and
CHEM 412. Offered yearly.

This course includes requirements and learning activities that promote
students' abilities to...

a. practice the processes and procedures for creating and completing
successful writing in their fields;

Requirements: Students are expected to practice applying the scientific
method in the collection of data, to use modern techniques (including
computations via mathematical and computer software) in analysis and
interpretation of results, and to use proper writing techniques in the
composition and completion of several research reports. Each report will
be critiqued and evaluated based on specific criteria as established in
the organizational format of the report. The reports will follow accepted
formats used in scientific journals.

Activities: Students are provided with many opportunities to apply
proper writing techniques in relating interpretation of experimental
results to chemical principles and theories. The students will discuss the
results and interpretations with classmates and will describe the
experimental work in a written format consistent with that used in
appropriate scientific journals.

b. understand the main features and uses of writing in their fields;

Requirements: Students are expected to produce professional-style
scientific reports by following the guidelines of the ACS Style Guide
adopted by the American Chemical Society. The reports will parallel the
method of scientific reasoning: defining the problem, creating the
hypothesis, devising the experiment(s) to test the hypothesis,
conducting the experiment, analyzing the data, interpreting the results,
and drawing the conclusion.

Activities: Students will follow acceptable scientific writing
formats in the composition of several laboratory reports*. The reports
will be organized in a format that would parallel the method of
scientific reasoning. The general organization of a research report will
include: Title/Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Experimental Details
or Theoretical Analysis, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and
References.

c. adapt their writing to the general expectations of readers in their
fields;

Requirements: Student laboratory reports are expected to follow a
format that is consistent with and adopted by the ACS Style Guide, which
is the general format required by most chemistry journals.

Activities: Students will be shown examples of ACS Style Guide
adopted laboratory reports and chemical journals. They will adapt their
writing to be consistent with the general expectations of readers in the
chemical field. After each experiment, students will compose a
laboratory report and will receive critiques before writing their next
reports. Several reports will be required for completion of the course.

d. make use of the technologies commonly used for research and writing in
their fields; and

Requirements: Students are expected to work in pairs to collect
several experimental data sets using modern experimental techniques and
instruments in Physical Chemistry. Laptops and appropriate software
packages will be used to collect data. Resultant data analysis can be
incorporated directly into word processors in appropriate formats.
Students are also expected to search the literature via library and
electronic sources.

Activities: Students work in pairs in data collection. Analysis can
be done collaboratively, but laboratory reports must be written
individually. Modern instrumentation and appropriate software packages
(such as HyperChem for molecular modeling, Mathcad for scientific
calculations, Excel for graphical and statistical analysis, LabWorks for
on-line data collection and analysis, and Word for report composition)
are used to collect data, interpret results, and compose the laboratory
report. In addition, students will compare their experimental results to
similar studies in the literature, which can be searched via chemistry
journals/references in both non-electronic and electronic formats.

e. learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in
their fields.

Requirements: Students are required to follow conventions of
evidence, format, usage, and documentation as listed in the ACS Style
Guide.

Activities: By composing a laboratory report following each
experiment, and by receiving critiques of each report, students will
gain a thorough understanding of the format of laboratory reports and
the format used in chemical journals.

Submitted with this proposal is a sample CHEM 413 syllabus, which includes
the course description, course outcomes, sample laboratory schedule, and
evaluation criteria. Also attached is the Format of Laboratory Reports
description from the Physical Chemistry Laboratory Manual. In addition, one
copy of a sample Student Laboratory Report has been provided for the USP
Director.

Physical
Chemistry deals with the physical principles underlying the properties of
chemical substances. The purpose of this junior level chemistry course is to
provide students the knowledge and skills needed to understand applications of
chemistry concepts to experimental results and the tools needed to apply methods
of scientific inquiry (along with chemistry knowledge), resulting in an enhanced
understanding of the chemical universe. To that end, students will perform
experiments, analyze data, interpret results, and transform these experimental
activities into written reports. Upon completion of this course, students will
be familiar with the experimental foundations and techniques on which
theoretical principles are based. The evaluation of the experimental work will
be based primarily on the contents of the laboratory reports written for each
experiment. Guidance will be provided on how to prepare laboratory reports in
the format of a modern scientific journal. The ACS Style Guide, published by the
American Chemical Society, will be used for directions on the organization of a
scientific paper, including correct grammar and style, and the accepted formats
for citing chemical names, chemical symbols, units, graphs, tables, and
references. Each report will be critiqued with relevant comments and discussed
individually (between instructor and student) to provide a feedback mechanism so
students can improve upon their subsequent reports. Each report will be graded
according to specific criteria established in the organizational format of the
report. As such, this course will emphasize writing as one of the essential
components in academic learning and in the intellectual development of students
in Physical Chemistry.

Course Description:

Experiments
accompanying CHEM 412 (Physical Chemistry I). Meets (one credit toward)
University Studies Writing Flag requirement. Laboratory work should be taken
concurrently with CHEM 412, but can be taken following successful completion of
the course. Computer applications. Computer
tutorials will be given at the beginning of the course. Utilization of computers
in data analysis and writing of lab reports are expected.
Prerequisites: ENG 111 and CHEM 412. Offered yearly.

SAFETY GOGGLES ARE MANDATORY IN THE LABORATORY

Completion of this course will include requirements and learning activities
that promote your abilities to achieve the following Outcomes:

a. practice the processes and procedures for creating and completing
successful writing in Physical Chemistry;

b. understand the main features and uses of writing in Physical
Chemistry;

c. adapt your writing to the general expectations of readers in Physical
Chemistry;

d. make use of the technologies commonly used for research and writing in
Physical Chemistry; and

e. learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in
Physical Chemistry.

This course will also enhance the laboratory requirement in the Natural
Sciences and will additionally provide you the opportunity to improve scientific
inquiry through hands-on investigations and to analyze and report the results of
those investigations. The completion of this course will satisfy one credit

toward the Writing Flag Requirement in the University Studies Program.

Course Details/Requirements/Activities:

In order to do well or pass the course, students are expected to:

1. perform experiments and compose a laboratory report for each
experiment, [Outcomes a to e],

Students are encouraged to consult with the instructor regarding questions or
problems encountered in the writing process. Furthermore, students are
encouraged to make use of services provided at the Writing Center.

List of Laboratory Experiments:

Expt. #

Description

Page #

# lab

Periods

Primary Set

Computer Tutorial - MathCad/Excel

1

Computer Tutorial - Word-Processing/HyperChem

1

0

Introduction + Arrhenius Analysis

3-20

1

1

Physical Properties of Binary Mixtures

21

2

(1-A)

Part A: Density

22

(1-B)

Part B: Refractive Index

24

(1-C)

Part C: Viscosity

26

2

Heats of Combustion: Bomb Calorimetry

29

1

3

Thermodynamics of Dissociation of Acetic Acid

33

2

(3A)

Part A: Solution Calorimetry

36

(3B)

Part B: Potentiometric Titration

38

Data Analysis / Report Composition

5

Optional

4

A Quantum Mechanical Study of Visible Spectra of Conjugated Dyes

41

1

Each report is due two weeks after the completion of each experiment. Due to
a limitation of equipment, a rotational schedule will be arranged. The
details of experiments are contained in the PChem Lab Manual.

The following table is a typical laboratory schedule for groups of students.

Chem.413

Labs

Rotation of 4 groups of 2 (or 3)

2

2

2

2 or 3

Labs

(1 S.H.)

Week #

Date (W)

Lab #

Title

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Date (W)

2001

Report Due

2001

1

Aug. 29

No Lab - Software Installations

All Students

Aug. 29

2

Sep. 5

1

Computer Tutorial - MathCad/Excel

All Students

Sep. 5

3

Sep. 12

2

Open Computer Lab session - Problem Set

All Students

Sep. 12

4

Sep. 19

3

Computer Tutorial - HyperChem/WordProcessing

All Students

Sep. 19

5

Sep. 26

4 [#1]

Intro + Expt. 0: Arrhenius Analysis (p.20)

All Students

Sep. 26

6

Oct. 3

5

Data Analyis/Report Composition

All Students

Oct. 3

7

Oct. 10

6 [#2]

Expt.1 (A/B/C) - Rotation

1-A/B

1-C

1-A/B

1-C

0

Oct. 10

8

Oct. 17

7

Expt.1 (A/B/C) - Rotation

1-C

1-A/B

1-C

1-A/B

Oct. 17

9

Oct. 24

8

Data Analyis/Report Composition

Oct. 24

10

Oct. 31

9 [#3/4]

Expt.2 / Expt.3(A/B) - Rotation

2

3A

3B

3B

1-A/B/C

Oct. 31

11

Nov. 7

10 [#3/4]

Expt.2 / Expt.3(A/B) - Rotation

3A

3B

2

3A*

Nov. 7

12

Nov. 14

11 [#3/4]

Expt.2 / Expt.3(A/B) - Rotation

3B

2

3A

2*

2 or 3(A/B)

Nov. 14

13

Nov. 21

Holiday - No Lab

2 or 3(A/B)

Nov. 21

14

Nov. 28

12

Expt.2/3(A/B) Rotation + Report Composition

Spare

Spare

Spare

Spare

2 or 3(A/B)

Nov. 28

15

Dec. 5

13

Data Analyis/Report Composition

Spare

Spare

Spare

Spare

2 or 3(A/B)

Dec. 5

Group

Group

Group

Group

A

B

C

D

3

Total Computer Tutorial Weeks

5

Intro / Data Analysis / Report Composition Weeks

5

Experimental Lab Weeks

13

Total Lab Weeks

MeOH/PrOH

MeOH/Acet

PrOH/Acet

MeOH/PrOH

Reports will be graded using a specific criteria table. The following is a
sample table.

Description

Specifics

Maximum Points

Title Page

Title, Names, Course #, Dates

1

Introduction

Theory, Purpose, Relevance, [Abstract]

4

Expt. Details

Procedure, Theo. Analysis, Set-up

3

Results

Raw Data [ table, graphs, descriptions]

5

Calculations

Sequential, Units, Sig. Figs., Final Results

7

Graphical

Calculated-Plots, Function-fitting, Slope/Intcp

8

Discussion

Relevance to Intro, Applications, Errors, Literature comparisons

6

Conclusion

Final Statement + Ref

=s

2

Organization

Page #

=s,
Headings, Sequential, Readibility

4

Total

40

Late Penality

Negative #

The assessments from the written reports will give your level of achievement
relative to Outcomes a to e.

The
completion of this course will satisfy one credit
toward the Writing Flag Requirement in the University Studies Program.

Grading Scale: A (

$
80%) , B (70-79%), C (50-70%), D (45-50%), E (<45%).

Physical Chemistry is a laboratory science that requires active learning. As
such, students are required to perform and complete laboratory experiments.
These laboratory studies will teach you the various standard techniques used by
chemists and most other scientists. This laboratory course is designed to give
you practical and hands-on experience of fundamental techniques in Physical
Chemistry, application of Physical Chemistry concepts, and enhanced
understanding of the scientific method. The laboratory experiments include
hands-on activities such as: pre-lab studies/preparations(reviewing and
searching of relevant concept/information before doing the actual experiments),
learning/practicing/performing experimental techniques, collecting data with
modern instrumentation, analyzing results, interpreting/discussing data
(relative to models), making conclusions, and complementing these activities
with the writing of a laboratory report. The composition of laboratory reports
will constitute the assessment toward the grade for this course.

The
completion of this course will satisfy one credit
toward the Writing Flag Requirement in the University Studies Program.

Guidelines on how to prepare a professional-style laboratory/research report
are not routinely available to undergraduate students. For this reason, the
following information on report writing with a suggested format is provided to
be helpful to undergraduate students.

This volume is an invaluable writer's handbook in the field of chemistry. It
contains a wealth of data on preparing any type of scientific report and is
useful for both students and professional chemists. Every research laboratory
should have a copy, and it should be as accessible as the Handbook of
Chemistry and Physics. It gives pointers on the organization of a scientific
paper, correct grammar and style, and accepted formats in citing chemical names,
chemical symbols, units, and references. There are useful suggestions on
constructing tables, preparing illustrations, using different type faces and
type sizes, and giving oral presentations. In addition, there is a brief
overview of the chemical literature, the way in which it is organized and how
information is disseminated and retrieved. A list of other excellent guides to
technical writing is also provided. See also The Basics of Technical
Communicating, Cain, B. E.; ACS Professional Reference Book. American
Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1988.

Organization

Most scientific laboratory/research reports, irrespective of the field,
parallel the method of scientific reasoning. That is: the problem is defined, a
hypothesis is created, experiments are devised to test the hypothesis,
experiments are conducted, and conclusions are drawn. This framework is
consistent with the following organization of a research report:

Title

Abstract

Introduction

Experimental Details or Theoretical Analysis

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

References

Title and Title Page

The title should reflect the content and emphasis of the project described in
the report. It should be as short as possible and include essential key words.

The author's name (e.g., Mary B. Chung) should follow the title on a separate
line, followed by the author's affiliation (e.g., Department of Chemistry,
Central State College, Central, Arkansas, 67123) and possibly the origin of the
report (e.g., In partial fulfillment of a Senior Thesis Project under the
supervision of Professor Danielle F. Green, June, 1990). For laboratory reports,
the partner's name is also included.

All of the above could appear on a single cover page. Acknowledgments and a
table of contents can be added as preface pages if desired.

Abstract

The abstract should, in the briefest terms possible, describe the topic, the
scope, the principal findings, and the conclusions. It should be written last to
reflect accurately the content of the report. The length of abstracts vary but
seldom exceed 200 words.

The research student should understand that a primary objective of an
abstract is to communicate to the reader the essence of the paper. The reader
will then be the judge of whether to read the full report or not. The student
should also know that if the report were to appear in the primary literature,
the abstract would serve as a key source of indexing terms and key words to be
used in information retrieval. Author abstracts are often published verbatim in Chemical
Abstracts.

Introduction

"A good introduction is a clear statement of the problem or project and
why you are studying it." (The ACS Style Guide. American Chemical
Society: Washington, DC, 1997.)

The nature of the problem and why it is of interest should be conveyed in the
opening paragraphs. This section should describe clearly but briefly the
background information on the problem, what has been done before (with proper
literature citations), and the objectives of the current project. A clear
relationship between the current project and the scope and limitations of
earlier work should be made so that the reasons for the project and the approach
used will be understood.

Experimental Details

This section should describe what was actually done. It is a succinct
exposition of the laboratory notebook, describing procedures, techniques,
instrumentation, special precautions, and so on. It should be sufficiently
detailed that other experienced researchers would be able to repeat the work and
obtain comparable results.

In theoretical reports, this section would include sufficient theoretical or
mathematical analysis to enable derivations and numerical results to be checked.

If the experimental section is very lengthy and very detailed, as in
synthetic work, it can be placed at the end of the report or as an appendix so
that it does not interrupt the conceptual flow of the report. Its placement will
depend on the nature of the project and the discretion of the writer.

Results

In this section, relevant data, observations, and findings are summarized.
Tabulation of data, equations, charts, and figures can be used effectively to
present results clearly and concisely. For laboratory reports, a sample
calculation for each set/sequence of calculations should be included for
informational purposes.

Discussion

The crux of the report is the analysis and interpretation of the results.
What do the results mean? How do they relate to the objectives of the project?
To what extent have they resolved the problem?

Because the "Results" and "Discussion" sections are
interrelated, they can often be combined as one section. Also, error analysis
can be incorporated in this section.

Conclusions

A separate section outlining the main conclusions of the project is
appropriate if conclusions have not already been stated in the
"Discussion" section. Directions for future work are also suitably
expressed here.

Summary

A lengthy report, or one in which the findings are complex, usually benefits
from a paragraph summarizing the main features of the report--the objectives,
the findings, and the conclusions.

The last paragraph of text in manuscripts prepared for publication is
customarily dedicated to acknowledgments. However, there is no rule about this,
and research reports or senior theses frequently place acknowledgments following
the title page.

References

Literature references are collated at the end of the report and are cited in
one of the formats described in The ACS Style Guide or standard journals.
Do not mix formats. All references should be checked against the original
literature.

Preparing the Manuscript

The personal computer and word processing have made manuscript preparation
and revision a great deal easier than it used to be. Students should have the
opportunity to use a word processor, and have access to graphics software that
allows numerical data to be graphed, chemical structures to be drawn, and
mathematical equations to be represented. These are essential tools of the
technical writer. All manuscripts should routinely be checked for spelling
(spell-check programs are helpful), and all manuscripts should be carefully
proofread before being submitted. For research reports, preliminary drafts
should be edited by the faculty advisor before the report is presented in final
form.

Approval/Disapproval
Recommendations

Department Recommendation:
Approved_____ Disapproved_____ Date______

Chairperson
Signature_______________________ Date______

Dean's Recommendation:
Approved_____ Disapproved _____* Date______

Dean's
Signature_______________________ Date______

*In the case of a Dean's
recommendation to disapprove a proposal a written rationale for the
recommendation to disapprove shall be provided to USS